In another huge success, the security forces on Monday gunned down three terrorists, including a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander, in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, said the officials.

In a statement, the officials said that a search and cordon operation was launched by the Jammu and Kashmir police and the Indian Army at Khul Chohar in the Anantnag district after they received information that some militants were hiding in the region.

Following the operation, the Jammu and Kashmir police said that top Hizbul Mujahideen commander named Masood Ahmed Bhat was among the three terrorists killed in the operation. The security forces have said that an AK-47 assault rifle and two pistols were recovered from the site while adding that a search operation is underway.

Giving details about the operation, the officials said that the terrorists fired upon a search party of the forces, who retaliated and killed the militants.

This month has been a huge success for the security forces who have eliminated more than 55 terrorists in different operations across the Valley so far. However, the security forces remain on alert as several terrorists are hiding in the Valley and planning to carry out deadly attacks.

"With today’s operation at Khulchohar area of Anantnag by Police along with Local RR unit in which 2 LeT terrorists including one district commander and one Hizbul Mujahideen commander Masood were neutralised, Doda dist in Jammu Zone becomes totally militancy free once again," said Jammu and Kashmir DGP, as reported by news agency ANI.

On Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir police said that 29 foreign terrorists are active in South Kashmir but assured that the security forces are experienced enough to deal with them and wipe out militancy from whole of South Kashmir.

"There is a presence of foreign terrorists in the upper reaches of Kokernag, Tral and Khrew. There are about 29 foreign terrorists active in South Kashmir and we will neutralise them when they come down and our sources inform us (about them)," Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said.

Asked whether foreign terrorists are a bigger challenge or the local ones, the IGP said both are a challenge but the forces are experienced enough to deal with them.

"Foreign terrorists or locals both are a challenge even though foreign terrorists are more trained. Our security forces, especially SOG boys, are well trained and have been working for the last 25 years and we have developed an expertise in dealing with them. What matters is the pinpoint information and once we get it, we will neutralise them," he added.